New owners owe city answers on quarry plan

The 60 acres it occupies in the middle of Oshkosh might offer a clue that what happens at 1301 Knapp St. is nothing ordinary. Check out the view from the sky at Google maps and you instantly understand why the operations of the Vulcan Quarry have an impact well beyond its borders and hold a significant interest for the entire community.

So many took notice when the quarry went silent for a number of weeks and ownership was transferred from Vulcan Materials Co. to P&O North Kosh LLC earlier this month. Officials from Michels Materials confirmed that Michels will operate the quarry and plans to resume limestone removal operations in Oshkosh in the very near future.

Still, the ownership of the quarry remains a mystery. Oshkosh Northwestern Media's Jeff Bollier reported that state records show a Milwaukee attorney is listed as the registered agent for P&O North Kosh LLC. However, that attorney, Martin Meyer, declined to identify the owners of the quarry. State law for limited liability companies only requires listing agents, nothing more.

P&O North Kosh should not hide behind this loophole in state law.

Owning a 60-acre quarry bordered by significant residential and commercial developments gives the company a responsibility to be candid with the community about how it intends to be a good neighbor and what its long-term plans are for the land.

While under Vulcan's ownership, the company filed a reclamation plan for the quarry, as required by Winnebago County's Non-Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance. It calls for converting the quarry into freshwater lake and turning surrounding land into open space with the possibility of some land being turned over the city for recreational purposes.

With the quarry nearing the end of its useful life, there are legitimate questions about the next stage for the quarry and how it fits into long-term plans for the community. Any changes will have an impact well beyond those 60 acres and would benefit from coordinated planning with local and state officials.

Equally important are the most effective ways to handle periodic complaints from neighbors about dust and noise at the quarry fielded by Oshkosh city officials. A proactive approach would serve the company and the community well and could help hold down speculation that the absence of information often breeds.

The owners of P&O North Kosh LLC can clear up those questions by stepping forward.

The Final Thought: New owners of Vulcan Quarry should identify themselves.

ServingOshkosh Wisconsin

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New owners owe city answers on quarry plan

The 60 acres it occupies in the middle of Oshkosh might offer a clue that what happens at 1301 Knapp St. is nothing ordinary. Check out the view from the sky at Google maps and you instantly